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Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement

Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement

Edward Pacheco

Edward Pacheco and 3 other contributors

Last updated on May 17, 2016

10 - 20 minutes
Easy

Introduction

Go to step 1

In order to replace your hard drive, first make sure your laptop is completely powered off and detached from the power source. Also, make sure your replacement hard drive is 7mm in height, as the traditional 9.5 mm will not fit into this laptop.

What you need

Tools

  1. Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 2 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Make sure your laptop is powered off completely and is not connected to the charger.

    • Close the laptop and place it so that the back of the screen is lying flat on your work surface.

    • Slide both of the battery-release latches towards the outer edges of the laptop to unlock the battery flap.

    Edit

  2. Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the battery at an angle using your fingertips and remove it from the laptop.

    • Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. This ensures that any remaining power will drain out of the computer.

    Edit

  4. Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 3, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 3, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • When choosing a replacement hard drive, make sure you are choosing one which is 7mm in height, and not the more traditional 9.5mm laptop drive, as it will not fit given the limited space inside of the laptop.

    • Using a PH0 sized screw driver, carefully remove the 4mm screw from the bottom cover.

    • Using the plastic opening tool carefully pry open the bottom cover

    • Slide the bottom cover towards you and remove it from the laptop base. Put the cover aside.

    Edit

  5. Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the 1 screw 4mm long on the left that is holding in the hard drive using a PH0 screwdriver.

    • Carefully pull on the tab on the hard drive to slide it out away from the connector.

    • Lift up and remove the hard drive from the computer.

    Edit

  6. Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Dell Inspiron 15 3541 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • You can skip this step if you are not replacing the Hard Drive, but still need to remove it to replace a different part.

    • Remove the two screws (3mm long) using a PH0 screwdriver that are holding the hard drive into the mounting bracket.

    • Pull up on the black Mylar sheet and remove it from the existing hard drive, it has some adhesive, but will simply pull off with just a small amount of force.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

6 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Edward Pacheco

Member since: 03/06/16

845 Reputation

3 Guides authored

Badges: 16

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Team

UMass Dartmouth, Team 5-8, Landers Spring 2016 Member of UMass Dartmouth, Team 5-8, Landers Spring 2016

UMASSD-LANDERS-S16S5G8

3 Members

6 Guides authored

One Comment

On my 3878, to remove the panel that covers the hard drive, one simply needs to slide the panel towards the front of the laptop. Lay both hands across the panel with your thumbs on the front of the computer, press down a bit for plenty of friction, then push with your thumbs.

A crevice/pry tool is not necessary.

Thanks for the guide!

Steven Hunyady - Reply

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